Baltimore Orioles have home field advantage at Yankee Stadium

After splitting the first two games of the American League Division Series in Baltimore, the Yankees return home for the final games of the series, beginning Wednesday night.

And that should worry them.

There's been no aura and mystique for the home team at Yankee Stadium against the Orioles this season. The two clubs finished the season 9-9 against each other, but were each 6-3 at the other team's home park.

All the Orioles have to do to win the ALDS is win two of the next three games at Yankee Stadium -- something they've already done three times this season.

The Orioles outscored the Yankees 49-32 during those three series at the Stadium (click on the dates for full box scores):

Series 1:

April 30 - Yankees 2, Orioles 1: Hiroki Kuroda went seven innings, allowing one run, and Eric Chavez hit a two-run home run in the second inning to account for all the Yankees offense.May 1 – Orioles 7, Yankees 1: Phil Hughes and Boone Logan combined to give up six runs in six innings and Curtis Granderson hit a solo shot in the first inning, the only run the Yankees scored.May 2 – Orioles 5, Yankees 0: Jake Arrieta (eight innings) and Jim Johnson combined for the shutout, Ivan Nova allowed five runs in 6.1 innings and the Yankees offense managed just five hits, all singles.

Note: the Yankees scored just three runs in these three games, all coming on home runs.

July 30 – Orioles 5, Yankees 4: Freddy Garcia took the loss, allowing three runs in six innings, but Boone Logan sealed the deal, giving up two runs of his own in 0.2 innings. Ichiro Suzuki, Chavez and Raul Ibanez all hit solo home runsJuly 31 – Orioles 11, Yankees 5: Ivan Nova allowed nine runs in five innings. Robinson Cano hit a two-run shot, but the Yankees only managed three extra-base hits, all off Orioles starter Chris Tillman.Aug. 1 – Yankees 12, Orioles 3: Hughes allowed one run in six innings, Cano hit a grand slam and Granderson hit a solo shot to power the offense.

Series 3:

Aug. 31 – Orioles 6, Yankees 1: Kuroda took the loss after allowing four runs in 8.1 innings and Granderson hit a solo shot to provide the Yankees' only offense.Sept. 1 – Yankees 4, Orioles 3: David Phelps had control issues during his 4.2 innings, but the Yankees plated three runs in the bottom of the seventh to win it.Sept. 2 – Orioles 8, Yankees 3: Hughes allowed five runs in five-plus innings and the bullpen allowed three more runs. Chris Dickerson hit a two-run shot in the second inning to give the Yankees a brief 2-0 lead.